Gun sight



k 33;'261. mi? 595869807 Fb. 26, 1952 o.. s. FowLER 2,586,807

GUN SIGHT Filed 0017. '7, 1946 IN VEN TOR. Urs f Faw/er A TTO/P/YEVPatented Feb. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This inventionrelates to gun sights and more particularly relates to gun sights of thetype adapted for use on shot guns or the like, which cause a spreadingof the shot or charge as it leaves the muzzle of the gun.

Shot guns are usually used in hunting game birds, such as ducks, andmost shots involve aiming along the course of iiight of the moving birdsin a horizontal or substantially horizontal course. The distance of thegame, from th-e hunter, the speed of flight and the known range of thespread of shot after discharge are factors which have to be taken intoaccount by mental calculation in determining how much lead to give thegun in firing it, in order to make a killing shot.

Heretofore, hunters have depended largely on their skill and experiencein making such determinations for their success in killing the game.Some attempts have been made to provide sighting devices which indicatethe position of the game with reference to effective killing rangewithin an indicated area toward which the gun is pointing. However, thelatter devices are generally subject to the defect that they do notprovide a measurable pattern on the object being fired on.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, durableand eflicient gun sight which during aiming accurately designates theeffective killing area of the gun over a customary shooting distance.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a gun sight which maybe embodied in a variety of structural forms without impairing itseflciency in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a gun sight whichprojects a visual image indicating effective killing area of the gun inrelation to the position of a bird or other object moving along a courseintersecting such area.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a gunsight which isarranged to superimpose a projected visual image upon the shot patternfired by the gun along the conical path traversed by said shot.

Other objects reside in novel details of construction and novelcombinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be fullydescribed in the course of the following description.

The present invention is based on the discovery that by using afrustro-conical tube or its equivalent as a sight, which tube has aprogressively increasing diameter corresponding to the known conicalpattern of a charge of shot fired from the gun on which the sight ismounted, it is possible to project a visual image or annular pattern inthe range of vision through the tube which superimposes on the shotpattern at the position of the object fired upon.

With this understanding of the general nature of the present invention,reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating typicalembodiments of the invention. In the drawings, in the several views ofwhich like parts have been designated similarly,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a shot gun having attached thereto agunsight embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section through the gunsight shown in Fig.1, drawn to an enlarged scale;

Figs. 3a, 3b, and 3c are sections takenvalong a line corresponding tothe line 3--3 in Fig. 2 and illustrating a variety of filament patternsthat may be used in the practice of the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a shot gun having attached thereto amodified form of gunsight assembly embodying features of the presentinvention.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the gunsight embodying the features of myinvention is shown as a rear sight R, mounted on the rear top surface ofa barrel 5 of any conventional shot gun G having a front sight Fofconventional design. Since the features of the gun actuating mechanism,

per se, form no part of the present invention,

detailed d-escription of same appears unnecessary.

The construction of the gunsight R, which represents one embodiment ofthe invention, will be best understood by reference to Fig. 2. Thissight comprises a hollow tubular body 6, preferably formed of ductilemetal, or a suitable plastic composition, having forward and rearflanges 'I and 8, respectively, extending from the bottom edges ofsloping cut ends 9 and I0, respectively. Preferably, each of saidflanges is provided with one or more countersunk recesses Il for thereception of the heads of screws I2 by which the tubular body isfastened onto gun G.

The usual shot gun firing a standard quality of shot will cause the shotto spread so that it travels along a path which is in the shape of adeveloping cone. For example, a standard 12- gauge shot gun shell, whenfired, will propel the shot charge at an expanding rate of approximatelyone-half inch per foot of linear travel. The taper of tube B of gunsight R is predetermined to correspond to this angular relationship, tothe end that the visual conepattern is a frustro-conical shape of thesame angular relation, but not dimension, as the pattern of shot. Also,because the view from the focal point through such a tube corresponds tothe shape of the tube. a small part of the object being fired on may beobscured by the thickness of material forming the tube, and this limitedobscurity places a definite, visual pattern on the object being firedon.

The lengthwise axis of tube E is not exactly parallel to the axis of thebore of the gun, but preferably is in converging relation, as forexample, at a point. 48 yards from the gun. Also, the visual cone, orsight pattern viewed through the tube, is slightly larger than the shotcone and even at a distance of 24 yards the shot pattern substantiallyfills the area observed through the visual cone. In order to give aproper silhouette pattern in aiming the gun I prefer to use variouscombinations of cross hair patterns to divide the space of thisobservable area.

These cross hairs, which preferably are located at the forward end ofthe tube are arranged to divide the field of view into areas arranged tofit the course of flight of the game. To the sighter the ring and crosshairs or filaments are projected into space as a silhouette in which thegame is located in a position to give most effective result when the gunis fired.

The three views of the drawings designated 3a,

3b, and 3c illustrate preferred arrangements of silhouette patterns. Asshown in Fig. 3a, the vertical filament or cross hair I3 is for thepurpose of dividing the field vertically and for aligning the sight tothe gun by aligning it with the front sight F. The horizontal filamentsI4 and I5 are for the purpose of dividing the field into 6 segmentalareas. Preferably, these filaments I3, I4 and I5 are formed by aplurality of fine wires of black or substantially black shade. However,if preferred the'cross hair pattern may be etched on a lens at the frontend of said tube.

In Fig. 3b. three horizontal filaments I4, I5 and I E are so arrangedthat the central filament I6 passes through the axis of the tube, whilethe filaments I4 and I 5 are spaced at equal distances from filament I6.The aforesaid arrangements provide a series of divided horizontal zonesin which the game is located in the silhouette pattern. Due to the factthat most game birds travel along a substantially horizontal course, itis possible for the hunter to move the gun in aiming so that the game ismoving along one of said horizontal courses in the projected pattern.

This enables the hunter to locate the bird in aiming so that itwillreceive the maximum effect from the shot charge. Also, the lowerfilament I5 may be used to denote the firing positionwhen a bird isrising and ying more or less directly away from the hunter.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 3c embodies the fundamental features ofthe other patterns in that it has two vertical filaments I3a and twohorizontal filaments I6a which correspond in position to the filamentsI3 and IB of Fig. 3b. However, they differ in that they dont intersect,but terminate in spaced proximity to the axis of the tube R. Inaddition. there are two diagonal groups of filaments I8 and I 9 whichcombine with the filaments I 3a and I6a to provide a radial pattern.

The converging relation of adjoining filaments provides an effectivesilhouette pattern for directing the center of the shot charge into thel 4 game. The visual cone pattern should be so held and moved that thebird will always cross the axis of the tube in its course across theannular enclosure regardless of its point of entrance into said circle.

Thus, it will be apparent that while tube 6 defines a conical zonedepicting the pattern of the spread of the shot course with reference tothe object being fired upon, the hair lines define lesser areas visiblyimposed upon the pattern of said cone within which the shot charge maybe presumed to be fatal to any object brought within the focal range ofsaid second area in aiming and firing the gun.

In installing a gunsight of the type shown in A Fig. 2 providing such apattern, the operator looks through rear sight R bringing front sight Finto register with the vertical hairline I3 and the sight is mounted tomaintain this relation. Thereafter, front sight F performs no functionin the operation of the gun except in the further check ing on alignmentof the sight. When game is observed passing the periphery and into thefield, the hair line I3 indicates the approximate position of the gamewhen contacted by the shot charge if the gun is fired at that moment.The lines I4 and I5 provide the upper and lower bounds of the mostfavorable killing area of the shot pattern and hence it is possible byaccurate timing to make an accurate shot each time the gun is fired.

If two sections of this visual cone are used in combination as a sight,as illustrated in Fig. 4, the rear one R1 may be mounted at apredetermined distance from the eye, on the breech or frame of gun, andwill act as a special peep sight, but it too will be a section of theabove conical visual cone while the forward section R11 is made toconform with the visual cone. Forward section R11 is detachably securedto the forward portion of gun barrel 5 by a resilient clip I'I.

It should be understood that in the arrangement shown, the two sectionsi function as a unitary structure and it is preferred to have them inphysically divided relation with the rear sight in more or lesspermanent installation on the gun and the forward sight of an easilyremoved type due to the snap-on mounting, so that when the gun isstored, as in a case or in transporting the gun, the forward sight maybe removed for its protection and reassembled when in a proper lo cationfor use. However, the same functional effect can be obtained byincreasing the length of the bore of a sight, such as sight R1, therebyeliminating the need for a front sight of the type shown. In such case,the filaments providing the silhouette pattern would be incorporated inthe rear sight R1. Also, if the single tube arrangement just describedis used, such tube may be of any desired length and such a sight may be1ocated at different positions on the gun, as with its forward endplaced at the forward end of the gun or in an intermediate position orpreferably at the rear end. For convenience in manufacture, assembly anduse, I prefer the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 4, but I consider theabove described arrangements as being within the scope of my invention.

Any suitable material may be utilized in producing the gun sights of thepresent invention. Brass tubing is well suited for this purpose becauseit can be worked accurately to satisfy the dimensional requirements andis durable enough .to withstand weathering and hard usage withs, outdeterioration. The hairlines I 3, Il, I5, I6, I8 and I9. or anycombination thereof, preferably are installed by notching the end of thetube and soldering fine gauge steel wire in the notches. Other similararrangements will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. such as byproviding holes at or near the end off the sight through which the wiresare strung. f

In the use of gun sights of the above described character, nointerference in proper functioning is occasioned by dull light effects,fog, snow, rain, sleet or other such natural or atmospheric conditions.The structural forms so far illustrated and described are intendedmerely to teach con-'- venient methods for the practice of theinvention, the scope of which is defined in the hereunto appendedclaims.

What I claim and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A gun sight for shot guns or the like comprising a frustro-conicaltube adapted to be mounted on the top surface of a gun barrel, said tubehaving its end of greatest diameter facing the forward end of thebarrel, a plurality of hairlines mounted in and crossing said tube andforming a visual pattern, and said visual pattern and the walls of thetube covering substantially the same area as the shot pattern from saidgun barrel at normal ranges.

2. In combination with a shot gun having a bore which fires a spreadingcharge in a substantially conical shot pattern, a gun sight comprising afrustro-conical tube mounted on the surface of said shot gun, said tubebeing a section of a cone substantially identical with that of saidconical shot pattern and having a field of view at a predetermined rangesubstantially equal in diameter to the diameter of the shot pattern atsaid range, and the axes of said cones converging in the direction offire and intersecting at the substantially said predetermined range ofsaid gun.

3. In combination with a shot gun having a bore which fires a spreadingcharge in a substantially conical shot pattern, a gun sight comprising afrustro-conical tube mounted on the top surface of said shot gun, saidtube being a section of a cone substantially identical with that of saidconical shot pattern, and a vertical cross hair inside of said tube andextending through the axis of said tube and horizontal cross hairs insaid tube equally spaced above and below the axis of said tube.

4. In combination with a shot gun having a bore which fires a spreadingcharge in a substantially conical shot pattern, a gun, sight comprisinga frustro-conical tube mounted on the top surface of said shot gun, saidtube being a section of a cone substantially identical with that of saidconical shot pattern, and a vertical cross hair extending through theaxis of said tube, a horizontal cross hair bisecting the vertical hair.and horizontal cross hairs equally spaced above and below said firstmentioned horizontal cross hair.

5. In combination with a shot gun having a bore which fires a spreadingcharge in a substantially conical shot pattern, a gun sight comprising afrustro-conical tube mounted on the top surface of said shot gun, saidtube being a section of a cone substantially identical with that of saidconical shot pattern, and a series of radial cross hairs extending fromthe periphery of said tube to a point adjacent to but spaced from theaxis of said tube.

6. A gun sight adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of a shot gunbarrel comprising a frustro-conical'tube having beveled end portionsinclined downwardly and outwardly toward said gun barrel, cross hairsmounted in said tube to form a visual pattern divided into portions of acircle, said tube extended forming an imaginary cone having its apex atthe normal position of the eye of the person using the gun and the baseof said cone being substantially coextensive with the shot pattern fromsaid gun at normal ranges, and means for securing said gun sight to saidgun barrel.

ORA S. FOWLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 193,061 White July 10, 1877813,677 Stillwell Feb. 27, 1906 1,306,879 Boone June 17, 1919 2,049,496Gaty Aug. 4, 1936 2,436,453 Schulz Feb. 24, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 69,558 Germany July 6, 1893 566,952 France Nov. 29, 1923299,159 Germany Jan. 7. 1920

